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JRT Interim Meeting |
The Junior Round Table Interim Meeting
Social
Responsibility:
From the local to the global
Porec, Croatia
– March 29-April 1, 2001
Why social responsibility? The new economy has brought with it tremendous opportunities to bring the benefits of social and economic growth to the global community. It has also resulted in a number of challenges, as evidenced by the recent protests surrounding the WTO meetings in Seattle and the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington, DC and Prague. The message that 21st century companies and organizations are hearing is that they need to “demonstrate social concerns beyond shareholder return.” Social responsibility also extends to the individual level: what responsibilities do we as individuals have in creating a sustainable business environment and building our communities?
Program:
The Junior Round Table (JRT) interim meeting will draw on the expertise of
invited speakers and the combined experiences of those participating to develop
a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding social responsibility.
The sessions will move progressively from global corporate social
responsibility to our own individual responsibility within our workplaces and
our communities. We plan to attract
between 15 and 30 participants. The exchange of ideas and experiences will aim
at practical results and be action driven.
Location and timing: The meeting will be held in Porec, Croatia, a beautiful seaside town on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Porec attracts people from around the world, which makes it an ideal setting to discuss topics of a global nature. The meetings will take place from the evening of Thursday, March 29, 2001 through noon on Sunday, April 1, 2001 (see the attached program).
What you will get out of it? The Junior Round Table conferences combine discussions on topics that typically go beyond your daily work with an opportunity to network with professionals from around the world. Participants place a high value on business principles and the belief that individually we each have a role to play in creating an ethical business environment. The JRT network provides an ongoing opportunity to share ideas and receive support in our own professions and settings.
What you will put into it. The JRT meetings benefit most when individuals bring their own experiences, questions, and concerns to the table for discussion. We plan to achieve practical goals and follow-up actions. A conference fee of US$30 is asked. This covers the costs for the conference, but excludes all other costs such as lodging, travel, and meals.
This conference is organized by the Junior Round Table (JRT). The JRT is an informal network of young professionals with various backgrounds and occupations. Members come from all over the world, are active in economic or business life, and have some five to ten years of work experience. The JRT sets for itself the goal of inspiring its members through the exchange of ideas, beliefs, and experiences between its members. Its purposes include: improving the understanding and collaboration between individuals of various backgrounds and nationalities, broadening the perspective on economic and social issues in small and large businesses, asserting the need for effective business principles and evaluating their practical application, and encouraging the members both as individuals and working as a team to take initiatives going beyond their day to day employment. The JRT network currently consists of 100 people in twenty-two countries.
Contacts:
· Steven Greisdorf (USA): Phone: +1 301 718-1031, e-mail: steven@chestnutfinancial.com
· Menso Fermin (Netherlands): e-mail: mhp@fermin.nl
· Dubravko Miholic (Croatia): e-mail: dubravko.miholic@spem.hr
Program
Thursday, March
29, 2001
18:00 Arrival of
participants.
20:00
Welcome reception
Friday, March
30, 2001
9:00
Introduction
9:15 Speaker
presentation: Social
responsibility in the new economy The potentially disruptive forces
of the new economy – e-business, disintermediation, new forms of competition
and globalization – offer new threats and new opportunities for those striving
to be good corporate citizens. What
are the trends and challenges confronting corporations today?
10:30
Coffee break
11:00 Discussion: What
are the social responsibilities of a new economy company? Do these differ in any way from old
economy companies?
12:30
Lunch break
14:00 Discussion: What
is socially responsible investing and what are the expectations of shareholders?
15:30
Tea break
16:00 Wrap-up & conclusions (finish at 17:00)
18:00 Dinner
20:00 Networking event (to be determined)
Saturday, March 31,
2001
9:00 Introduction
9:15 Speaker presentation: Sustainable community development
10:30
Coffee break
11:00 Discussion: How
can corporations and communities work together to promote sustainable development? Focus on the tourism industry.
12:30
Lunch break
14:00
Discussion: How can
individuals, working independently or as part of an organization, work to
create a sustainable community? How do the efforts of individuals
work to support or thwart social responsibility? Focus on community activism.
15:30
Tour through Porec (optional)
19:00 Traditional Croatian dinner
Sunday, April 1,
2001
9:00 Discussion: What is the role of multi-national corporations and multi-lateral institutions (WTO/IMF/World Bank) in global social responsibility?
10:30 Coffee break
11:00 Wrap-up, conclusions, evaluation
12:00 Conclusion
For more information and an application form, please e:mail Steven Greisdorf at steven@chestnutfinancial.com or Dubravko Miholic at dubravko.miholic@spem.hr